Police: Man Returns Rental Car Seven Months Late

said a Florida man drove off  in the fall with a rental car from a local business and didn't return it until this week. 

Nicholas Balzer, 38, of Port Richey, turned himself in Monday after learning police had obtained a warrant charging him with felony theft of leased property and unauthorized use of an automobile. 

Police said Balzer rented a car from Budget Rent A Car on University Boulevard on Oct. 20. He failed to return the vehicle by the Nov. 20 lease deadline, racking up nearly $900 in late fees, police said. 

Police obtained a warrant for Balzer's arrest in February.

Store employees said the rented vehicle was involved in a car crash in the fall, but when contacted earlier this year, Balzer's insurance company said it was no longer covering repair costs of the vehicle, according to police records. A damage estimate for the vehicle was not available. 

Balzer is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing June 21 before Magisterial Judge Mary Murray in Coraopolis District Court.